Melissinos’ unique story started in 1920, with the first shop established by the grandfather of the family. Situated in the agora of Athens, in the heart of the city centre, the atelier produced climbing boots and shoes. In the early 50s, Stavros Melissinos, the father, inherited the business, writing a new chapter. Encouraged to create ancient Greek sandals for a dance performance, he reinvented the shoe from the period of Athenian democracy.

Known as the “Poet sandal maker”, his designs, like his famous poems, were inspired by Hellenic myths. The meeting of his mind and hands attracted people worldwide to commission the characteristic shoes. Since 2004, his daughter Olgianna is continuing the leather crafting tradition, preserving its timeless techniques. She runs her own workshop located in the district of Psiri. Sandals are designed and purely handcrafted there. The last step of assembling and fitting the sandals happens directly at the back of the single shop, situated a short walk away from the atelier.